Open Crowds Not Great, but He Had a Great Time

To borrow Peter Finch’s line, I’m mad as hell, and you need to hear about it. I was one of the underflow crowd of 6,000 to attend the U.S. Senior Open on Thursday, July 30.

I’m “mad” that I had to watch Jack Nicklaus play with dignity and grace through his hip pain. I’m mad that the course was so well laid out that every key green had a bleachers for viewing. I’m mad that the concessions didn’t rip me off. I’m mad that every one of these great pros treat the gallery like family, not the enemy. I’m mad most of all that I could walk the last 10 holes with the king, Arnold Palmer.

In short, Mr. Bonk, I’m mad as hell that I had a taste of golf heaven.

JIM DOWNEY

Long Beach